When a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled tent city residents must pack up and move out by Aug. 8, those who fought for campers in court could’ve hung their heads in defeat.

But instead, advocates say the encampment that sprang up on the lawn of the Victoria courthouse last fall was a win for the city’s homeless population.

Hours after Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson released his decision, homeless advocate Stephen Portman said the mood at camp was somber – but hopeful.

“Many people also [feel] a strong sense of victory. A strong sense of something they’ve been fighting for, for so long, will become a reality,” said Portman. “There’s confusion, because I don’t think people understand why a court should be involved…but I think there’s a real sense of victory, confusion, some upset certainly, but it’s been a long haul to here.”

Portman said he didn’t take issue with the judge’s decision, but said it was difficult to explain the complexities of homelessness in a court of law.

In his ruling, Hinkson wrote that he felt the province had adequately addressed a need for housing with the purchase of Central Care Home, which will be converted to 140 units, and by expanding spaces at other area shelters.

Housing Minister Rich Coleman supported the decision, saying the government now had spaces available for any tent city resident who wanted them.

"I think the order and the judgment by the courts really did recognize that we, as the plaintiffs, have done a very good job of providing housing for those people who have lived there and been there before," he said in a statement.

None of the campers will be forced to leave the site until the pledged housing is made available to them.

And with the move-out date for campers a little over a month away, Portman said he expected campers’ excitement to build over the prospect of having a home to call their own.

“Keep in mind there’s people in this encampment who’ve been homeless for over a decade, who are going to have an option to access some housing in a way that they never have before,” he said.

The lawyer who has represented tent city residents in court since spring said she was happy no one would be forced to move until they were provided housing.

“That’s what we’ve always wanted, is for people to have adequate, safe, secure housing to go to,” said Catherine Boies Parker. “There wasn’t any place for them to go before and I think that was the critical difference.”

Advocate Chrissy Brett, who has acted as spokesperson for tent city and has lived there part-time, also characterized the ruling as a victory for residents – but said there’s much more work to be done.

“I think it’s absolutely fabulous for the 140 homeless people that will be able to fill up the care facility,” she said. “It doesn’t address the 1,400 homeless here in Victoria, all of them, obviously, and it doesn’t address homeless across B.C. or across Canada.”

She said until there’s a change at the provincial and federal levels to deal with homelessness, numbers will grow across the country.

As for those still living in the camp, she said the mood was “pretty peaceful” following the judge’s ruling.

“I think people who have been truly looking for housing are absolutely excited in the fact that they have successfully campaigned and got in and secured housing,” she said.

Hinkson’s ruling ordered the all fences and obstructions in camp to be dismantled immediately, while Coleman said the government will assist residents in their transition to shelters.

It is unclear what will happen to anyone who tries to stay past the Aug. 8 deadline, and police said Tuesday they had not been given any specific direction in regards to the order.